‘M.T. Routes in Persia. Volume 1 – Main Routes. 1942’ [‎162r] (328/498)

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Route VIII—Section C— contd.
lateral ditches. As it enters the hills the road narrows to aboui
15 without lateral ditches, and is liable to damage from rain ; it
also becomes slippery with snow in the winter, but is always
passable with chains. The road continues hilly, crossing several
passes and going through the narrow DURB ADAM gorge.
Map 22-K is generally accurate.
The road in this stage is at present (January 1942) being
maintained by Russian engineers and labour platoons, who are
engaged in widening and straightening bends on the mountain
section. There is a telegraph line all the way, but it is broken at
the frontier. At BAJGIRAN there is a Russian buying and trans
port section controlled from MESHED. There are no Persian
authorities at the frontier.
(c) BAJGIRAN to ASKHABAD (22 K/Y. 2789). 30 miles
Map 22-K.
A first-class road with tarmac all the way, probably wide
enough to take two-way traffic throughout.
From BAJGIRAN the road rises slightly to a low kotal a
the head of the valley, which is on the actual frontier line, and
thence descends to the Russian frontier post of GAUDAN. T.O.,
frontier guards, and customs officials For a few miles after
leaving GAUDAN the road keeps high above the bed of the
stream, and then drops by a series of zigzags to the bottom of tht
valley and then on down it. At 16 miles is what used to be, in
of horse transport, the days the halfwav halting place. Limited
water from a well.
From here the road ascends over a low spur and then des
cends suddenly to the level of the plain, across which it goes
direct for the last 10 miles into ASKHABAD.
There is no detailed information of Stage (c).
3. Climatic effects. The summer is mild, the winter bitterly
cold. Though much snow falls, traffic is seldom impeded. Spates
following rain might delay traffic for a few hours at the unbridged
nullah crossings.
4. Repair facilities—Road material scarce to QUCHAN
but labour should be plentiful, especially as far as CHINARAN ;
the valley is dotted with villages and intensely cultivated.
5. Supply facilities .—
(a) Camping grounds.—Good throughout; might be a bit
restricted in the hills.
(b) Water—Ample; perennial and good throughout.
(c) Fuel .—Fairly plentiful.
(d) P.O.L.—Nil between MESHED and QUCHAN.